Locomotive



Nov. 29, 1932. A. J. TOWNSEND I LOCOMOTIVE Filed April 3, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 r I Idllfll'lllllllllllllllllI W}, INVENTOR A TTORNEK? Patented Nov. 29, 1932 V PATENT OFFICE ALBERT J. TOWNSEND, OF LIMA, OHIO LOCOMOTIVE Application filed April 3,

This invention relates to locomotives, and more particularly to locomotive frames and bracing therefor, and is especially adapted to industrial or other small locomotives of the internal-combustion-powered type.

In locomotives of the class referred to, it is desirable that the general construction shall be sturdy and yet compact, that the frame be not too heavy but yet capable of withstanding constant pulling and bufling stresses at both ends, and that the frame and bracing structure be suitably arranged not only to be mounted on a short wheel base and to com-- pactly support the various parts of the superstructure but also accommodate and give rigid and solid support to the internal combustion engine or other power plant and the control mechanism therefor. To this end, the'present invention contemplates a locomotive frame and bracing structure of light weight, which can readily be fabricated or else made in the form of a casting, and having its strengthening members suitably positioned for taking pull and buff as well as for supporting the various parts of the power plant, running gear and superstructure.

More specifically, the invention cont'em plates a locomotive frame structure somewhat in the form of an inverted box of a rectangu- 3 lar and more or less oblong shape, withthe' addition of certain strengthening elements which serve also to provide a secure support for the power plant.

How these objects and advantages, together with others which may occur to those skilled in the art or which may be incident to the invention are attained will be evident from a consideration of the following description, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a locomotive embodying the preesnt invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view of the N frame andbracing structure embodied in the locomotive shown in Figure 1, the upper plate or deck member of the frame being broken away to show subj acent parts; 8 I

Figure 3 is a side elevation; of the structure shown in Figure 2; and I Figure 4 is a transverse section on the line 1930. Serial No. 441,208.

44 of Figure 2, illustrating also some of the driving mechanism, in elevation.

From the drawings in general, it will be seen that I have illustrated a locomotive hav ing an engine housing 2, power plant 3, stack or exhaust outlet 4, cab 5, control means-6, clutch'and transmission casings 7 and 8, driving mechanism indicated generally by the numeral 9, frame 10, and draft gear 11, 11.

Since most of these parts form, per se, no part of the present invention, I have not illustrated them in detail, but from an examination of Figures 2, 3 and 4, it will be seen that I have clearly shown the various features pf the frame and bracing structure, as folows 1 The frame, whether made of a unitary castmg, or, as here shown, built up of fabricated" steel, includes a pair of relatively deep, lon-' gitudinally extending outside members or plates 12, secured to the ends of which are a pair of transverse frame members 13, which latter. may addit onally have mounted thereon beams or wooden planks 14, for additional strength and for mounting the draft gear 11 and the steps or" foot boards 15. vAn additional transverse stiffening member 16 is also preferably employed, approximately half way between the ends of the frame.

Over this general frame structure, I provide a single plate or deck member 17, securely fastened to the frame parts beneath, and serving not only to strengthen and unify the whole frame structure, but also conveniently to provide a cab floor.

e Beneath the deck or plate 17 I provide a pair of inner longitudinal frame members 18, compact in form, but of rigid U channel shape which extend from end to end of the frame, one on each side of the position of the draft gear. Between these inner longitudinal frame members, I cut out the top or deck plate 17 to form two apertures or holes 19 and 20, so that the lower plant including clutch and gear cases may be mounted between the frame members 18, as shown, and the control members, such as the transmission handle or lever 6, may extend up into the cab thru aperture 20. This entire structure, if made in fabricated form, may be suitably interconill) nected and braced by suitable flange members 21, 22. The power plant is thus mounted mid-way of the sides of the frame, and toward one end thereof, suitable brackets or supports 23, 23, and 24 being provided, the latter being mounted on a small transverse web member 25.

As will be seen from Figures 2' and 4, aperture 19 in plate 17 is widened, or notched at 26, 26 to provide ledges at the top of inner longitudinal frame members 18, on which the flanges 27 of the transmission ca sing may rest, said casing fitting in solidly between the channel members and being secured thereto as by bolts 28. This transversely braces the inner members 18, as the element 16 braces the outer members 12.

The driving mechanism 9, in the locomotive shown, includes a common box structure for the axles of both pairs of wheels 6, such structure being somewhat in the form of a Jeam 29 (as seen in Fig. 1) carrying gear housings 30. 31, and 32, a longitudinal crive shaft 33, and a transverse connection (not shown) to the drive member 34 extending from the gear casing 8. Said common axle box member 29 may rock up and down at its ends. in accordance with axle movements, about .the point 35 as a fulcrum, on which the spring 36 rests or bears, the ends of said spring being connected by suitable links 37 to the spring brackets 38 shown in Figure 3. The running gear, springs and equalizing apparatus, and power and driving mechanism need not be considered in detail in this specification, as the same are fully disclosed, described and claimed in my copending application, Serial No. 472,644, filed August 2, 1930.

As will be seen from Figures 2, 3 and 4, the frame structure is provided with suitable retaining guides 39 for the ends of the beam 29. The longitudinal frame member 12 on .the right-and or driving side of the locomotive is provided with suitable cut-outs or apertures 40 for the axles. and a central aperture or cut-out 41 for the transverse driving shaft, the latter aperture being bridged by suitable binder means such the bar 42 and stiffening members 43. On the other, or left side of the locomotive, the side member 12 has apertures 44 for the axles or journals and su table spring brackets 45, for the mounting of a spring over each axle on the left-hand side of the frame. The frame thus readily lglds itself to the axle and (lllVlDg' arrange ment shown, and provides for a three-point support of the entire locomotive on the two axles.

It will now be seen that all of the purposes and advantages sought to be attained have be a accomplished by a frame and bracing structure simple in form, relatively light in i5 weight, and rugged in construction.

What I claim is 1. In a railway vehicle having a power plant for its propulsion, a main frame comprising transverse end members, outside lon gitudinal side members, inside longitudinal members for transmitting pull and buff from end to end and spaced apart to accommodate the power plant between them, and a deck plate extending over and interbracing all of said members.

2. In a railway vehicle having a power plant for its propulsion, a main frame comprising transverse end members, outside longitudinal side members, inside longitudinal members for transmitting pull and butt from end to end and spaced apart to accommodate the power-plant between them, and a deck plate extending over and interbracing all of said members, together with a transmission casing positioned transversely between the inside longitudinal members and serving as a brace between them. i

3. Locomotive frame and bracing construction including longitudinal main frame members and a removable transmisson casing supported thereon and interbracing at least some of them, together with a cross frame member uxtaposed to said casing and interbracing longitudinal frame members.

4. Locomotive frame and bracing construction including longitudinal main frame members and a removable transmission casing supported thereon and interbracing at least some of them, together with a cross frame member juxtaposed to said casing and interbracing longitudinal frame members, and cross framing at the ends of the longitudinal frame members bracing all of the latter to gether.

5. Locomotive frame and bracing construction including longitudinal main frame members and a removable transmission casing supported thereon and interbracing at least some of them, together with cross frame members at the ends of the longitudinal frame members, intermediate cross framing, and means for mounting a power-plant between said longitudinal members at a position between end and intermediate crossframing.

6. Locomotive frame and bracing construction including longitudinal main frame mem bers and a removable transmission casing supported thereon and interbracing at least some of them, together with cross frame members at the ends of the longitudinal frame members, intermediate cross framing, and means for mounting a power-plant between said longitudinal members in a position between the said casing and intermediate framing, on the one hand, and one of said cross members, on the other hand.

7. In a railway vehicle having a power plant for its propulsion, a main frame comprising transverse end members, outsidc longitudinal side members, inside longitudinal members for transmitting pull and buff from end to end and spaced apart to accommodate the power-plant between them, and mounting means on said inside members for removably supporting a power plant.

8. In a railway vehicle having a power plant for its propulsion, a main frame comprising transverse end members, outside longitudinal side members, inside longitudinal members for transmitting pull and buff from end to end and spaced apart to accommodate the power-plant between them, and a deck plate extending over and interbracing all of said members and being apertured to receive said power plant.

9. In a railway vehicle having a power plant for its propulsion, a main frame comprising transverse end members, outside longitudinal side members, inside longitudinal members for transmitting pull and buff from end to end and spaced apart to accommodate the power-plant between them, and a deck plate extending over and interbracing all of said members and serving as a cab floor.

10. In a railway vehicle, a main frame including transverse end members, outside longitudinal side members, an inside longitudinally-extending member for transmitting pull and buff, and a deck-plate extending over and directly interbracing all of said members.

11. In a railway vehicle, a main frame including transverse end members, outside longitudinal side members, an inside longitudinally-extending member for transmitting pull and buff, and means extending over and interbracing all of said members, together with apertures in the side members open at the bottom for receiving axles.

12. In a railway vehicle, a main frame including transverse end members, outside longitudinal side members, an inside longitudinally-extending member for transmitting pull and buff, and means extending over and interbracing all of said members, together with an aperture in a side member open at the bottom to accommodate removable transverse driving means.

13. In a railway vehicle, a main frame including transverse end members, outside longitudinal side members, an inside longitudinally-extending member for transmitting pull and bufi, and means extending over and interbracing all of said members, together with an aperture in a side member open at the bottom to accommodate removable transverse driving means and bracing means adjacent said aperture.

14. In a frame of the character described, a plurality of longitudinal members, one of which has a pair of longitudinally spaced apart spring-mounting devices, one for one axle and the other for another axle, and another of which has a spring-mounting device longitudinally-midway between said two devices, together with a pair of equalizer guide means on said latter frame member, one toward each end thereof.

15. In a locomotive frame of the character described, inner longitudinal frame members, outer longitudinal frame members, and a transverse brace between the latter frame members and lying beneath the inner frame members.

16. In a locomotive frame of the character described, inner longitudinal frame members, outer longitudinal frame members, and a transverse brace between the latter frame members and lying beneath the inner frame members, together with transverse bracing means between the inner frame members.

17. In a locomotive frame of the character described, inner longitudinal frame members, outer longitudinal frame members, and a transverse brace between the latter frame members, together with transverse bracing means between the inner frame members, said means including driving mechanism for the locomotive positioned down between said members.

18. A locomotive frame including outer relatively deep frame members and inner relatively shallow framing and transverse framing rigidly interconnecting all of said other members at their ends.

19. A locomotive frame including outer relatively deep frame members and inner relatively shallow framing, and transverse In testimony whereof I have hereunto V 

